Disinformation disorder refers to the widespread dissemination of false or misleading information, often crafted to deceive. This encompasses three key categories: misinformation (incorrect information shared without harmful intent), disinformation (deliberately misleading information), and malinformation (accurate information used maliciously). In India, the rapid growth of this disorder is fueled by increased internet accessibility, the emergence of AI-generated content, and a heavy reliance on social media platforms.
The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2025 highlights misinformation and disinformation as the leading short-term global threats. These forms of false information pose significant dangers, including destabilizing democracies, disrupting economies, and inciting social unrest. The rise of AI tools, deepfakes, and biased algorithms, combined with growing digital inequality, exacerbates the risk.
With over 900 million internet users, India is particularly susceptible to disinformation. Factors such as political polarization, inadequate digital literacy, communal sensitivities, and an over-reliance on social media hinder the ability to discern truth from falsehood. Political and religious discourse is heavily influenced, with misinformation proliferating through platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), complicating efforts to fact-check and amplifying misleading narratives.
Since the 2017 Doklam standoff, India has encountered significant disinformation campaigns, particularly from Chinese platforms aimed at swaying public opinion. Applications like TikTok and Weibo have been employed to disseminate false narratives. Such threats can adversely affect diplomatic relations, incite social unrest, and interfere with electoral processes.
Numerous social media platforms, including Meta (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram), X (Twitter), YouTube, and certain Chinese-origin apps, have been implicated in the spread of misleading information. WhatsApp, in particular, is notorious for facilitating the rapid forwarding of unverified messages, allowing disinformation to outpace verified news due to its emotional and sensational appeal.
India has initiated several measures to counteract this growing issue:
The Indian government is also advocating for increased transparency from social media platforms and is contemplating regulations for content moderation.
While laws can establish necessary frameworks, enforcement presents challenges. Excessive regulation may lead to censorship and hinder free speech. Thus, a balanced approach is essential—one that bolsters cybersecurity, fosters education and awareness, supports independent journalism, and cultivates public trust in information systems.
Proactive frameworks, such as the European Union’s Digital Services Act and the Disinformation and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) policies, serve as effective models. These initiatives advocate for content audits, algorithm transparency, and accountability of major tech platforms. India can adopt relevant lessons from these international frameworks to develop regulations tailored to its unique digital landscape.
Citizens play a crucial role in addressing disinformation by:
Disinformation can fracture societies, incite violence, and erode trust in democratic institutions. It transcends technology, representing a challenge to both democracy and social cohesion. In a diverse and populous nation like India, unchecked disinformation poses a significant threat to national unity and democratic values.
Collaboration among civil society groups, educators, researchers, and regulators is vital for building awareness, fact-checking content, and demanding accountability from digital platforms. Strengthening independent media and watchdog organizations ensures the flow of credible and verified information, especially during elections and national crises.
International efforts are intensifying through:
Q1. What are the types of disinformation?
Answer: Disinformation includes misinformation (incorrect info without harmful intent), disinformation (deliberately misleading info), and malinformation (true info used maliciously).
Q2. How does disinformation affect democracy?
Answer: Disinformation can incite violence, create divisions, and undermine trust in democratic institutions, threatening national unity.
Q3. What role do social media platforms play in disinformation?
Answer: Social media platforms facilitate the rapid spread of misleading information, often outpacing fact-checked news due to their viral nature.
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